Sometimes dinner needs to be cheap, quick, and healthy – and that’s exactly what this quinoa vegetable stew delivers. With carrots, leek, potato, and a touch of tomato paste, you can cook a hearty vegetarian one-pot recipe that is filling, budget-friendly, and full of flavor. This cheap and easy quinoa vegetable stew is perfect for meal prep, for using up leftovers, or for making the most of frozen veggies from your own harvest.

Quinoa stew with carrots, leek, potato, tomato paste and spices simmering in one pot

Cheap and Easy Quinoa Vegetable Stew

A cheap, easy, and healthy quinoa vegetable stew with carrots, leek, potato, and garlic – perfect for meal prep, using up leftovers, and even frozen veggies from your own harvest. It’s not only delicious warm but also tastes great as a cold dish the next day.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Cuisine Homestead

Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients

1/2 leek (white and light green part)
3 medium carrots
1-2 medium potatoes
1 garlic clove
5 tbsp tomato paste
1-2 bay leaves
160 g quinoa
1.2 liters vegetable broth (or water with stock powder)
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve under running water, then set aside.
Chop leek, carrots, potato, and garlic into small pieces.
Add a little water to a large pot, sauté the leek and garlic briefly until softened.
Stir in quinoa, bay leaf, carrots, potatoes, and season with salt and pepper.
Mix in the tomato paste, then pour in the vegetable broth.
Cover with a lid and let simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more liquid if needed.
Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and serve.

Notes

For a balanced and satisfying meal, serve your quinoa vegetable stew with a fresh seasonal side. A crisp garden salad, roasted zucchini, or even a slice of whole-grain bread make perfect companions – budget-friendly, healthy, and filling.

“Dinner is never just food – it carries the warmth of a shared table.” – Frida, HealingHarvestLog.com

Storage: Store leftover tortilla in airtight glass containers – I like this 5-piece set on Amazon. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days and tastes great cold as well.

Make ahead: You can chop the vegetables the night before and store them in glass containers in the fridge. This way, the stew comes together in just 20 minutes on busy evenings. Or simply use your own frozen garden vegetables – carrots, leeks, or potatoes – and add them straight to the pot for an even quicker, no-fuss version.

Flavor tip: Add a drizzle of mild, high-quality extra virgin olive oil before serving. I recommend this Spanish olive oil on Amazon – it keeps its flavor even when heated and adds depth and richness to the stew.

Helpful tools: A large non-stick pot or Dutch oven (like this one on Amazon) makes cooking this quinoa stew effortless, prevents sticking, and ensures even cooking with minimal fuss.

Note: These are personal recommendations. If you purchase through the Amazon links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Keyword cheap meals on a budget, dinner recipes for two, dinner recipes healthy, Quinoa

Meal Prep Made Simple

This quinoa vegetable stew is perfect for meal prep ideas. Cook a bigger batch, store it in glass containers, and you’ll have ready-to-eat healthy meals in the fridge for several days.

Great Way to Use Up Leftovers

This recipe is flexible and one of the best ways to use up leftover vegetables. A piece of leek, one lonely potato, or a few carrots – everything fits into this one-pot stew. Cheap, sustainable, and delicious.

Ideal for Frozen Veggies from Your Harvest

If you’ve frozen some of your own garden produce, this stew is the perfect way to use it. Frozen carrots, leeks, or potatoes can go straight into the pot, bringing a taste of summer to your winter table. A handful of chopped walnuts on top adds a gentle crunch – and they’re a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals that make this simple dish even more nourishing.

Why Add Garlic? – Health Benefits of Garlic

Adding just one clove of garlic not only deepens the flavor of this stew but also boosts its nutritional value. Garlic is known for its immune-supporting properties, thanks to compounds like allicin. It can help fight off seasonal colds, support heart health by improving circulation, and add a natural layer of anti-inflammatory benefits to your diet. In short: garlic makes this budget-friendly meal even more powerful for your health.

Don’t Stop Here!

Loved this cheap and easy quinoa stew? Then you NEED to try my Cheap Spanish Tortilla Recipe. It’s just as budget-friendly, packed with flavor, and the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Click now and get cooking

Healing Harvest Log

Cheap and Easy Quinoa Vegetable Stew – Budget-Friendly Dinner Idea